23.096 Grants to nonprofit conservation organizations.

(1) In this section:

(ag) “Nonprofit conservation organization" has the meaning given in s. 23.0955 (1).

(b) “Property" means land or an interest in land.

(2)

(a) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.866 (2) (ta) or (tz) to nonprofit conservation organizations to acquire property for all of the purposes described in ss. 23.09 (2) (d) 1. to 7., 9., 11., 12. and 15., (19), (20) and (20m), 23.092, 23.094, 23.17, 23.175, 23.27, 23.29, 23.293, 30.24 and 30.277.

(b) Except as provided in sub. (2m), a grant awarded under this section may not exceed 50 percent of the acquisition costs of the property.

(2m) Notwithstanding sub. (2) (b), in each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2010-11 and ending with fiscal year 2021-22, the department may award grants under this section that equal up to 75 percent of the acquisition costs of the property if the natural resources board determines that all of the following apply:

(a) That the property is uniquely valuable in conserving the natural resources of the state.

(b) That delaying or deferring the acquisition until 50 percent of the acquisition costs are procured by the nonprofit conservation organization is not reasonably possible.

(c) That sufficient bonding authority remains in the amount set aside under s. 23.0917 (3) (br) for that fiscal year after awarding grants to nonprofit conservation organizations that meet the matching requirement under sub. (2) (b).

(3) In order to receive a grant under this section, the nonprofit conservation organization shall enter into a contract with the department that contains all of the following provisions:

(a) Standards for the management of the property to be acquired.

(b) A prohibition against using the property to be acquired as security for any debt unless the department approves the incurring of the debt.

(bn) A prohibition against property acquired in fee simple being closed to the public unless the department determines it is necessary to protect wild animals, plants or other natural features.

(c) A clause that any subsequent sale or transfer of the property to be acquired is subject to subs. (4) and (5).

(4)

(a) The nonprofit conservation organization may subsequently sell or transfer the acquired property to a 3rd party other than a creditor of the organization if all of the following apply:

1. The department approves the subsequent sale or transfer.

2. The party to whom the property is sold or transferred enters into a new contract with the department that contains the provisions under sub. (3).

(b) The nonprofit conservation organization may subsequently sell or transfer the acquired property to satisfy a debt or other obligation if the department approves the sale or transfer.

(5) If the nonprofit conservation organization violates any essential provision of the contract, title to the acquired property shall vest in the state.

(6) The instrument conveying the property to the nonprofit conservation organization shall state the interest of the state under sub. (5). The contract entered into under sub. (3) and the instrument of conveyance shall be recorded in the office of the register of deeds of each county in which the property is located.

History: 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 309; 1993 a. 343; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2007 a. 20; 2019 a. 9.